Channel 5 are reportedly set to dredge up ‘horrendous memories’ of the foiled kidnap and murder plot, by charting the ordeal in a documentary Holly declined to take part in
ITV sweetheart Holly Willoughby has been left reeling after broadcaster Channel 5 decided to plough ahead with a documentary about Gavin Plumb’s plot to kidnap and murder her – despite her refusal to take part.
The former This Morning star also objected to show bosses calling the documentary ‘Stalking Holly Willoughby’ which as well as dredging up traumatic memories for the star – is also factually incorrect, as she was never actually stalked.
The 44 year old Dancing on Ice presenter was targeted by obsessed security guard Gavin Plumb back in 2023, who planned to kidnap, rape and murder her. Faced with a credible threat while live on air presenting ITV ’s flagship morning show This Morning, Holly was whisked away to safety by security – and later stepped away from the show completely in the wake of the harrowing ordeal.
Lifting the lid on Holly’s thoughts about the upcoming documentary, an insider told The Sun : “Holly isn’t involved in the documentary at all, but producers are ploughing ahead in making it regardless. They know it’ll be a ratings hit to detail the gory specifics of the case.”
“She declined to be interviewed by producers about the ordeal and her reps informed Channel 5 she wasn’t technically stalked so their title is incorrect. There is also concern that the events will be sensationally dramatised for effect.”
Elaborating further, the source also went on to hit out at Channel 5’s “awkward” move, and insisted that its “not their story to tell”, and would likely trigger “horrendous memories” for Holly, who is simply “trying to move on with her life.”
The Mirror have reached out to Holly and Channel 5 for comment.
Plumb, 37, from Harlow in Essex, was successfully apprehended by police after revealing his plot in an online chatroom. He was jailed for at least 16 years last July.
Reflecting on her ordeal in January 2025, Holly told The Times : “It’s been a tough one. There’s no way of sugar-coating it.”
“Nothing can prepare you for something like that. When something like that happens, you have a decision to make.
“You either decide, right, I can take this on board and it can absolutely affect all aspects of my life. Or I can make a choice to go, let’s focus on everything that’s positive and good, all those important things.”
She added: “I’m healthy and I’m happy. I’ve got a wonderful husband and children and family, I’ve got great friends. You have to go: I choose to positively move forward and rely on all those people – the police, the court, the judge, the jury – all those people to do their role. And that’s what I had to do.”